ECONOMY & MARKETS

The number of subprime loans for automobiles has increased this year as lending standards have loosened, boosting automakers' revenues but also creating fears of another financial bubble.

U.S. consumer spending will grow at a meager rate of 1.5 percent to 2 percent by the end of this year, Sterne Agee, a U.S. brokerage and investment firm said on Friday in a report.

Ocean Power Technologies, Google, Diageo plc, Microsoft Corp, salesforce.com, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Amyris, Vodafone Group Plc and ARM Holdings plc are among the companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trading Friday.

Asian stock markets mostly lowered Friday as weak economic data from the U.S. and concerns over the euro zone debt crisis weighed on the sentiment.

U.S. stock index futures point to a mixed opening Friday as investor sentiment remained fragile following concerns about the worsening debt crisis situation in the euro zone to hurt global economic growth.

Most European markets fell Friday amid the revival of investor concerns about the global economy affected by the debt crisis in the euro zone.

The top after-market NYSE gainers Thursday were Gramercy Capital, SunCoke Energy, Calix, Swift Transportation and MGIC Investment. The top after-market NYSE losers were Chipotle Mexican Grill, Freescale Semiconductor, Pep Boys-Manny, Advanced Micro Devices and WESCO International.

Asian markets were mixed Friday as investors remained watchful amid worries of the deepening debt burden faced by the euro zone and worsening global economic growth.

U.S. existing home sales unexpectedly fell in June, according to the National Association of Realtors, raising fresh doubts about the housing recovery. Here are five important trends taken from the numbers.

Gold continues to fare better than other asset classes in spite of a downward pressure on prices.

Although the U.S. home construction industry continues to lag behind the broader job market, improvements in housing are expected to create jobs and boost construction this year, mortgage financier Freddie Mac said in a new report, Housing: Getting Back To Work.

The number of Americans lining up for new jobless benefits rebounded last week after a seasonal auto-plant retooling period caused a steep drop the prior week.

Spain's cost of borrowing shot up Thursday to an unsustainably high level as it tried, and failed, to sell all of the $3.7 billion in bonds it offered to investors.

A financial disparity has emerged between popular health-conscious grocery stores and their more mundane rivals, a gap that's expected to widen as the millenial generation replaces the baby boomers as the dominant consumer consumer force.

Asian stock markets advanced Thursday as signs of an improvement in the U.S. housing market and better-than-expected quarterly earnings from corporate majors buoyed the sentiment.

U.S. stock index futures point to a higher opening Thursday as corporate earnings reported for the second quarter exceeded expectations, indicating that business conditions are on the path of revival.

Most European markets rose Thursday as better than expected corporate earnings in the U.S. revived hopes among investors that business conditions are recovering.

The top after-market Nasdaq gainers Wednesday were Mellanox Technologies Ltd, Complete Select Comfort Corp, Skyworks Solutions Inc, QUALCOMM Incorporated and QLogic Corporation. The top after-market Nasdaq losers were Diana Containerships Inc, Tudou Holdings Limited, Trius Therapeutics, Nanosphere Inc and Smart Balance Inc.

The top after-market NYSE gainers Wednesday were Emulex Corp, New York Times, Tempur-pedic International, International Business Machines and Titan International. The top after-market NYSE losers were Greenhill & Co, Convergys, Whiting USA, Stryker Corp and Diana Shipping.

Asian markets rose Thursday as investors were encouraged by healthy earnings reports from the U.S. companies which alleviated concerns of faltering business conditions.

Asian shares rose Thursday as strong corporate profits from U.S. bellwethers allayed fears of a slowdown in earnings while the euro steadied after being hit by reported comments from German Chancellor Angela Merkel that rekindled fears about the euro zone debt crisis.

The dominant European soccer franchise is coming to the U.S. market for help paying off a huge debt that has yet to hurt the team's success on the field.

The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that the U.S. economic activity increased at a modest to moderate pace in June and early July as more districts are reporting slowing growth.

The recession and housing crash have triggered a sharp decline in the share of American households who own their own home. Homeownership, which is at its lowest point in 15 years, is bound to fall even further, driven by tight credit, lackluster economic growth and more foreclosures.

The price of hamburgers, hot dogs and other commonly grilled items shot up dramatically in June, government data released Tuesday showed, far outpacing price increases seen for other food items and the general cost of living, which actually dipped slightly in the month.

Credit Suisse Group, Orexigen Therapeutics, Aixtron, New Oriental Education & Tech, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Ericsson, Saks and American Capital Agency Corp are among the companies whose shares are moving in pre-market trading Wednesday.

The nascent U.S. housing recovery could be concealing another financial time bomb: home equity loans.

Banking in line with the Koran's prohibition on paying interest is an expanding sector, and the ascent of the Muslim Brotherhood to power in Egypt is going to help it grow faster.

U.S. stock index futures point to lower opening Wednesday as investors were disheartened after the Federal Reserve gave no indication of stimulus measures to boost the economic growth.